Hat trick for siblings in muddy mountain bike race

Friday 09 March 2018

Good things always come in threes - and that was certainly the case for the Raimondo siblings in the penultimate event of the Jersey Cycling Association Youth Academy (JCAYA) Mountain bike series.

All three of them won in their races, which took place at Les Platons. Sienna and Marley, who are both undefeated this season won in the Under 6 and Under 8 categories, while Gabriel scooped the third victory of the day for the Raymond family in the Under 10.

The organisers said that the Under 6 race displayed strong performances from the two girls taking part. Sienna Raimondo, undefeated this season, won the race overall as convincingly as ever by a margin of nineteen seconds over her runner-up, Eden Hannah, who was the first placed boy. Tilly Robinson, a relative newcomer in only her second race, was ninety seconds behind Raimondo, but still took fourth place overall amongst a field of nine riders. Harry Gordon and Sonny Evans took second and third places respectively, reflecting their position in the overall championship.

Marley Raimondo, who is also undefeated this season, won by a significant margin over Jack Hutton, who was himself seven seconds ahead of Hugo Nowacki. The ranking largely reflects the championship standings in this category, save for Ethan Mwanga who stands in third position with three points ahead over Hutton and one race remaining. Eleanor Docherty, who was the only competing Under 8 girl on the day, placed sixth overall.

Pictured: The race took place at Les Platons. (Google Maps)

What had started as just a drizzle turned to heavy rain during the Under 10 race. With the notable absence of undefeated championship leader Jacob Mauger, all eyes were on Gabriel Raimondo to secure a clean sweep of success for the family. He took the lead early in the race and held it firmly. Olliver Boyle and Harry Cutting came in third and fourth respectively, having fought their way through the mud on the five lap course, swapping positions briefly on lap four. In the girls race, Evie Worth took first place, continuing her run of success and establishing herself firmly at the top of the championship, with Emma Mwanga second and a creditable seventh overall in the race.

In the Under 12s - currently the most competitive and most attended of all the JCAYA categories - Max Mahony took an early lead. He soon relinquished under pressure from Ollie Hamon, who extended his gains to take first place over Mahony by sixteen seconds. They were followed by Hannah Worth who jostled with Alex Read for the third place. Fifth and seventh places overall went to Emily Le Gros and Libby Hart.

The last race of the season will take place on 18 March at Val de la Mare at 13:00. New riders are welcome.

Lead photo: Under 10 podium riders, Olliver Boyle, Gabriel Raimondo and Harry Cutting.